Who exactly are you considering high-end companies?
And, what are you calling "a serious HDMI based system" ?

Well not Onkyo.

Meridian, Classe and Krell have just introduced HDMI solutions so there may be now an opportunity to compare them to previous implementations of multichannel audio by these same companies.
I would like to be directed to such head to head comparisons.

The meridian implementation is interesting.
They strip the audio from HDMI and convert it to their MHR format before sending it to their audio processor.
In theory, this should take HDMI out of the audio equation.
Doesn't this make you wonder why they went through so much trouble?

Maybe my previous views on the downfall of high end audio have been unfounded and we are starting to get past the MP3 virus contamination of music.

Meridian, Classe and Krell have just introduced HDMI solutions so there may be now an opportunity to compare them to previous implementations of multichannel audio by these same companies.
I would like to be directed to such head to head comparisons.

The meridian implementation is interesting.
They strip the audio from HDMI and convert it to their MHR format before sending it to their audio processor.
In theory, this should take HDMI out of the audio equation.
Doesn't this make you wonder why they went through so much trouble?

Maybe my previous views on the downfall of high end audio have been unfounded and we are starting to get past the MP3 virus contamination of music.

Integra makes some fine equipment whether you like Onkyo or not.

__________________Anthem, Conrad Johnson, Dish Network/JVC, Dynaudio, Infinity, Integra, JL Audio, Klipsch, Magnepan, Marantz, Martin Logan, Onkyo, Oppo, Outlaw Audio, Panasonic, Paradigm, REL, Sumiko, SVSound, and Toshiba are the brands equipment I currently use. I have owned/used and tested equipment made by just about any manufacturer you can name.

They are the same company, but they are not generally considered high end.
(maybe the DHC-9.9 starts to tread these waters but is it really of better SQ than say a Athem D2? and do they both really compare to say a Meridian 861?)
Nothing personally against Onkyo (actually owned Onkyo gear and its good for what it does) but once you get some real nice speakers the limitations come out quickly.
Same is true for most AVRs. (you more than most here should know this. )

Example:
Someone starts out with an Onkyo AVR and Polk speakers. (very popular budget combination).
Sounds fine until the user gets intrigued with a set of Maggie MMGs for $500.
Hooks up MMGs to the Onkyo and thinks, "what is the big deal on these lifeless no bass speakers"
(Unknowing that the issue might be that most AVRs don't do very well with a mostly resistive 4 ohm load due to the design constraints of a buget AVR)
Yet continues to read about how great they are for the $$$ on the web.

Now if the user had some separates instead of the AVR, his opinion might mirror more closely those he reads about on respected web sites.

There are always exceptions to be found, but usually not at the budget level. (~>$1000 retail. ...and who pays retail? )

Does anyone expect to spend the same amount of money per channel when moving from a 2-channel system to a 5.1 or a 7.1 setup? I go way overboard, but my various rears (ML Quests, Wilson Watt Puppys, Infinity Gammas) don't compare to the fronts of Infinity's / Genesis / Krell LAT-1000s, with a par of MRSs). So, I don't expect to get great sound from anything but my mains. And yes, I find fault with almost everything. It just means that a perfect product doesn't exist. Oh, and I run a mini DVI, to a HDMI just for video because Apple doesn't believe in sending the sound via HDMI either.

They are the same company, but they are not generally considered high end.
(maybe the DHC-9.9 starts to tread these waters but is it really of better SQ than say a Athem D2? and do they both really compare to say a Meridian 861?)
Nothing personally against Onkyo (actually owned Onkyo gear and its good for what it does) but once you get some real nice speakers the limitations come out quickly.
Same is true for most AVRs. (you more than most here should know this. )

Example:
Someone starts out with an Onkyo AVR and Polk speakers. (very popular budget combination).
Sounds fine until the user gets intrigued with a set of Maggie MMGs for $500.
Hooks up MMGs to the Onkyo and thinks, "what is the big deal on these lifeless no bass speakers"
(Unknowing that the issue might be that most AVRs don't do very well with a mostly resistive 4 ohm load due to the design constraints of a buget AVR)
Yet continues to read about how great they are for the $$$ on the web.

Now if the user had some separates instead of the AVR, his opinion might mirror more closely those he reads about on respected web sites.

There are always exceptions to be found, but usually not at the budget level. (~>$1000 retail. ...and who pays retail? )

If you look at my signature you would see that I own both Anthem and Integra equipment. You might be surprised if you did some A/B comparisons. My DTR 9.9 is a fully capable receiver and performs as well as any out there. Is it the same class as the Anthem, probably not but it's preamp brother gets quite close.

If you look at my signature you would see that I own both Anthem and Integra equipment. You might be surprised if you did some A/B comparisons. My DTR 9.9 is a fully capable receiver and performs as well as any out there. Is it the same class as the Anthem, probably not but it's preamp brother gets quite close.

I do remember that review. (Is your real name Tom? )
BTW, which one of your speakers is this currently driving?

The review's point on price vs performance is well made.
Especially when you can pick up a Onkyo PR-SC886 (pre-amp section of the 9.9 no?) for about $1000 direct from Onkyo.
(referb of course, but I have no issues going this route direct from the manufacturer)